Controlled Temperature for Cargo Transportation 620161
Growth of the frozen food industry fostered development of mechanically refrigerated rail cars to replace ice bunker refrigerator cars. These cars are now capable of handling any perishable commodity from −10 F to + 70 F. Successful development of controlled temperature cars was made possible by the diesel engine and its simplicity, ruggedness, sible by the diesel engine and its simplicity, ruggedness, economy, and safe type of fuel.
Truck refrigeration first developed around gasoline or propane power, but light weight diesel engines are now being used. This permitted railroad handling of refrigerated trailers in piggyback service.
Future development of both rail and highway refrigeration systems will depend upon the ability to increase dependability of components to equal the diesel engine itself; otherwise increasing costs of operation will require departure to other forms of refrigeration.
